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adverb

plain

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word plain distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of plain are candid, frank, and open. While all these words mean "showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks," plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

When could candid be used to replace plain?

Although the words candid and plain have much in common, candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

When might frank be a better fit than plain?

In some situations, the words frank and plain are roughly equivalent. However, frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

How does the word open relate to other synonyms for plain?

Open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plain
Adjective
Calcium is abundant in dairy products like nonfat plain Greek yogurt, which contains around 250 mg of calcium per serving. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025 The appointment is the sole act of the president; the acceptance is the sole act of the officer, and is, in plain common sense, posterior to the appointment. Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Adverb
The flounce hem is feminine and fun, adding just enough interest to take this from plain to chic. Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 9 July 2025 To put it plain, Dynasty Mode is mostly fantastic as EA even expanded the already strong Team Builder feature to improve team creation. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
In my opinion, this gives it an advantage over some other plains states. Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2025 The flightless animal is native to Australia and can live in several different environments, including eucalyptus forests, woodlands, and sand plains. Raven Brunner, People.com, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
  • The recycled leather lanyard adds to its convenience and simple, timeless style.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2025
  • In North Carolina, Republicans are a few votes shy of a supermajority in one chamber but still control the redistricting process because the state’s congressional maps are not subject to veto and therefore can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature.
    Elena Shao, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Adeleye was outclassed from a pure boxing standpoint, but his heart was on display.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The shot was clean with a bold recovery, just like a pure Mickelson moment.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Counter to her brother, Maxine is the outspoken, happy-go-lucky, popular girl who masks her loneliness and sorrow.
    Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The Democratic Party is also home to outspoken critics of Israel and much of the Jewish community, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Bernie Sanders, and others.
    Nathan Diament, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Employers who are not developing a straightforward and accessible pathway to inclusion – at the company and individual level – will remain at risk of employment tribunal losses.
    Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The checks, from the company that became Hess Corp., were straightforward.
    Jacob Orledge, ProPublica, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Nowhere is that more obvious or more urgent than in education.
    Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Mountains are always there, but another form of turbulence can seemingly appear from nowhere, with no obvious visual cues to warn pilots.
    Renée Rigdon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There’s a spot in northwest Fort Worth that contains 3,700 acres of untouched and protected prairies, forests, wetlands and swamps.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Cottonmouth snake size How to identify a rattlesnake The habitat range of rattlesnakes reaches across the majority of the United States, primarily in the desert, mountains, prairies and along coastlines.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • But the Connector will run through a critical portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre expanse of state land that provides habitat for many fragile plants and animals, said Jason Lauritsen, the chief conservation officer with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.
    Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
  • My route from the airport passed thick cornfields, lush trees, and expanses of green grass.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Naturally, romantic commitments could become affected by the trajectory of your professional goals, so be honest with yourself.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The project intends to empower Californians to engage in honest discussions, according to its mission statement.
    Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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